That ends the coverage of the first game, but don't go too far. Just hop over to the other tab, where Chennai will be batting first against Pune. Cheers!

Pietersen: To come from England and play here is very intimidating but this is brilliant. I would love to have England players here, I absolutely love playing in India and play in the IPL. To play with guys like Sehwag and Steyn is an absolutely brilliant experience. Beautiful surface, the curator was brilliant and the spectators were even better.

Kevin Pietersen is the Man of the Match for his 64 ball 103.

Sehwag: We have strengthened our batting. We can expect an innings like that from KP, he did a fantastic job. We wanted to go with an Indian bowling line up and the other teams will get scared of our batting line up. Nadeem is brilliant, he bowled in the powerplays in the previous games and did well after the powerplays today too. We love to have the Delhi crowd in every game, I know it's hot there but they've still come out for a 4 PM game to support us.

Sangakkara: We had our chances. We had a great chance to get KP out early but this shows that if we hold on to catches, we can win games. KP was fantastic, he batted brilliantly. We got off to a good start - around 100 in 12 overs was very good - but we couldn't maintain it.

Pietersen was dropped thrice today - on 6 by Chipli (a sitter), 68 by Duminy (misjudged) and on 94 by Sangakkara (tough chance). Darren Lehman will not be a happy man. He was severe on his side's fielding after the narrow loss in the previous game and they haven't been able to improve much today. But take nothing away from Pietersen! He steadied the ship after Delhi lost 3 quick wickets and counter-attacked at the same time. He dominated the spinners and was particularly harsh on the part time spin of Duminy. None of the bowlers managed to keep him quiet, with the only exception being Dale Steyn, who could have been handled better by Sangakkara.

Mahela: I'm wearing my pads still because KP was going strong after I got out, so didn't want to get up from the seat. Everyone has different roles in the side and we're experienced enough to know those. We made a lot of mistakes today but still made it. We have a good balance and all of us have a free hand in the team. Anyone of us can win the game for the side, but whoever is out there in the middle should be responsible and finish the game. It's a talented dressing room that we've got. Bowlers did very well, and if they have a bad day the batsmen should step in. Today Pietersen did exactly that. We're winning now, but you never know what can happen in a long tournament like this. Anything can happen, but we're having fun right now.

19.1

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, SIX, and there it is! A fitting finish to the innings and the game. Pietersen backs away and slaps this short one flat and straight into the sightscreen, gets to the win and his century in style. That's his 9th six today - the highest by a batsman in this IPL. What a knock! Thorough entertainment for Delhi supporters and other neutrals, devastating if you are a Deccan Chargers fan!

Ankit Sharma [2.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack

A six to finish the game will be fitting..

18.6

Steyn to Nagar, no run, he has given an opportunity for Pietersen to get a ton! Yorker outside off, Nagar drives and gets an edge that rolls to the keeper, Steyn completes a spell of 4-0-19-2. He was not used well by his captain today though..

Will Nagar finish the game of just give the strike to Pietersen?

18.5

Steyn to Pietersen, 1 run, fuller length and outside off, Pietersen shuffles across in his crease and drives it along the ground to sweeper cover, just a single again

A boundary required to finish the game and complete a century..

18.4

Steyn to Nagar, 1 run, quick short one on off, Nagar backs away and swats it to long off, in the air for a while but the man was near the ropes now

18.3

Steyn to Pietersen, 1 run, hit hard but just a single, pulls this short ball hard but straight to deep mid wicket for one

The crowd is getting excited. Pietersen on 95 now. One hit can take him past 100..mid off inside the circle

18.2

Steyn to Nagar, 1 run, back of a length on off, Nagar backs away and guides it to third man

Delhi need 6, Pietersen needs 5..

18.1

Steyn to Nagar, 2 runs, fuller length delivery outside off, Nagar reaches out and squeezes it out to deep extra cover for a couple

Dale Steyn [3.0-0-13-2] is back into the attack

Steyn into the attack now. Too late though, I guess..

17.6

Christian to Nagar, 1 run, fuller length on the off stump line, Nagar drives it hard to long off for a single

17.5

Christian to Pietersen, 1 run, full and outside off, Pietersen comes down the track and drives it hard to cover. In fact that's a chance as well! It flew low to Sanga's right and he couldn't hold on, they're just not catching well today!

17.4

Christian to Nagar, 1 run, pitched up on off, Nagar drills it to long off for one

17.3

Christian to Nagar, FOUR, poor delivery. Short and sits up to be hit, Nagar stays back and slaps the pull between the 2 men near deep square leg

17.2

Christian to Pietersen, 1 run, full and straight, Pietersen flicks it to deep mid for a single

17.1

Christian to Pietersen, SIX, flat six! Kept long off interested for a while but just sailed over him. In the slot and Pietersen hits it flat and over long off, Duminy was a couple of steps in front of the ropes and it went over him despite the overheap leap. Would have been a pretty comfortable catch had he been near the ropes! Another misjudgment.. this is proving to be too costly

Should be an easy win for Delhi now. Christian with the ball now. I thought Steyn will get to bowl now..

16.6

Pratap Singh to Nagar, 2 runs, full again, Nagar comes on the frontfoot and drives it between extra cover and long off for a couple, an expensive over from Pratap Singh ends but he completes a decent spell

16.5

Pratap Singh to Pietersen, 1 run, should just keep bowling there - once again in the blockhole and Pietersen digs it out to cover, 2 short balls have gone for 10 runs, the other 3 full ones have gone for just 3 runs..

16.4

Pratap Singh to Nagar, 1 run, yorker length on off, Nagar drills it to mid off for one

16.3

Pratap Singh to Nagar, FOUR, attack from both ends! Too much pressure on Pratap Singh and he responds with a short and wide one, Nagar stands and smashes the cut over point for a four, Sanga walks up and has a word with the bowler

16.2

Pratap Singh to Pietersen, 1 run, better, much fuller from Pratap Singh and Pietersen drives it to long off

16.1

Pratap Singh to Pietersen, SIX, that's a very poor ball. Just releases all the pressure with that loosener - short and very wide outside off, Pietersen reaches out and slaps it over deep extra cover region. This is Pietersen's highest score in T20 cricket

Veer Pratap Singh [3.0-0-16-1] is back into the attack

Time out. 37 from 24 is the equation, and it is advantage Delhi purely because of Pietersen's presence in the middle. He will decide which way the match will swing - as simple as that!

15.6

Christian to Nagar, FOUR, Nagar can hit the boundaries too! Just a bit of width outside off and he crashes it between backward point and third man, pretty close to the man in the deep but it was hit way too hard, a crucial boundary from Nagar

15.5

Christian to Pietersen, 1 run, length delivery on off, Pietersen comes on the frontfoot and punches it on the up to long off

15.4

Christian to Pietersen, no run, back of a length and on the middle and leg, Pietersen flicks it to mid wicket, no single there

42 from 27. Pietersen is the key..

15.3

Christian to Nagar, 1 run, short and around off, Nagar slashes it to third man and gives the strike to Pietersen

15.2

Christian to Nagar, no run, back of a length and outside off, Nagar looks to cut but it's too close to his body, fails to make contact

15.1

Christian to Nagar, no run, good length on off, Nagar comes on the frontfoot and defends to point

Daniel Christian [2.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack

14.6

Steyn to Pietersen, no run, Pietersen walks down the track but Steyn drags it shorter, Pietersen adjusts and pushes it back, nice to see the batsman and the bowler share a smile after that, even in all the pressure!

14.5

Steyn to Nagar, 1 run, fuller length on the off, Nagar comes on the frontfoot and pushes it past cover for a single

Yogesh Nagar, right handed bat, comes to the crease

14.4

Steyn to Irfan Pathan, out Caught by Parthiv Patel!! Steyn strikes! Fast bouncer down the leg side, Pathan looks to hook it through the on side but gets a bit of glove on the way to the keeper. Deccan are still in the game, a good over or 2 will surely help. Irfan Pathan c Parthiv Patel b Steyn 5(11)

Steyn to Irfan Pathan, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

14.3

Steyn to Irfan Pathan, no run, good length on off, Pathan comes on the frontfoot and defends it to extra cover

14.2

Steyn to Pietersen, 1 run, short and outside off, Pietersen slaps it to long on, mishit shot so only a single

Steyn needs to do to Pietersen what he did to Levi. An over like that can change things around.. looks tough now though!

14.1

Steyn to Pietersen, no run, slower one on the off, Pietersen comes on the frontfoot and blocks it

Dale Steyn [2.0-0-11-1] is back into the attack

rajeevihp: Great over from Mishra, conceded only one six.

13.6

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, 1 run, flatter but shorter, Pietersen goes on the backfoot and smashes it to sweeper cover for one

13.5

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, SIX, did the ball even come down? Watch out if you live in Delhi - that may fall in your house! No, thankfully it is still inside the ground. Just inside I must say. Shimmies down the track and lofts it high and straight down the ground, the camera lost track of the ball but it hit the top tier and came back.. Pietersen continues to toy with the bowling

13.4

Amit Mishra to Irfan Pathan, 1 run, floated around leg stump, Pathan works it to deep backward square leg for one

13.3

Amit Mishra to Irfan Pathan, no run, loopy and straight, Pathan comes on the frontfoot and blocks

The camera focusses on Chipli. He dropped Pietersen early on.. will that be the turning point?

13.2

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, 1 run, turning away around off, Pietersen runs it down to short third man for a single

13.1

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, no run, flighted delivery on the off, Pietersen defends it

Amit Mishra [1.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack

12.6

Duminy to Pietersen, 1 run, a harsh man would call that a chance! That nearly took Duminy's finger on the way, backs away and hammers it flat and straight, Duminy is brave enough to go for the 'catch' and gets a finger to it. Billy Bowden must thank Duminy for going for the catch - that would have injured him if he hadn't! Bring the helmets on for the umpires I say!

12.5

Duminy to Pietersen, SIX, not a full toss but Pietersen doesn't need those when he is in form like this! Flatter but in the slot, Pietersen clears his frontfoot and blasts it straight oevr the sightscreen. The crowd love it, this is pure entertainment!

12.4

Duminy to Pietersen, SIX, another full toss!! What's going on? Comfortable height for Pietersen who heaves it away into the crowd behind deep mid wicket, pressure on Duminy now - he has a word with Sangakkara and has a worried look on his face

12.3

Duminy to Pietersen, SIX, full toss. That's a crime when the batsman's name reads Kevin Pietersen. Too easy for him - stands and smashes it over long on. Absolute gift from Duminy

12.2

Duminy to Irfan Pathan, 1 run, tossed up on the legs, Pathan turns it to short fine leg, Pietersen calls for a quick single and gets it easily

12.1

Duminy to Pietersen, 1 run, FIFTY for Pietersen, drives this to long off and gets to his 3rd fifty in IPL. A good innings this, he needs to carry on though

Deccan need to dismiss Pietersen. If he stays till the end, Delhi will get this pretty easily..

11.6

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, 1 run, slower and straighter, Pietersen pushes it with a straight bat to long off

11.5

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, FOUR, Pietersen is the man for Delhi now. Just a bit of flight and Pietersen punishes it, comes on the frontfoot and drives it wide of extra cover for four more

11.4

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, no run, flat and skiddy on off, Pietersen looks to punch too hard but mistimes it back to the bowler

11.3

Ankit Sharma to Irfan Pathan, 1 run, once again down the leg side, Pathan clips it to deep backward square leg

11.3

Ankit Sharma to Irfan Pathan, wide, fires it quick but down the leg side, Pathan misses a sweep but gets an extra

11.2

Ankit Sharma to Irfan Pathan, no run, flat and straight, Irfan Pathan works it to mid wicket

11.1

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, 1 run, flighted up on off, Pietersen comes on the frontfoot and drills it to long off

Ankit Sharma [1.0-0-4-0] is back into the attack

10.6

Duminy to Irfan Pathan, no run, pushes through the air quickly, Pathan looks to play across and gets an inside edge that rolls off the pads past Parthiv Patel - so near to the off stump!

10.5

Duminy to Pietersen, 1 run, a full toss but he misses out, flicks it off his pads and gets a single to deep mid wicket, all along the ground

10.4

Duminy to Pietersen, no run, full and straight again, Pietersen gives the charge and yorks himself, squeezes it back to the bowler

10.3

Duminy to Pietersen, 2 runs, tries to push it quicker but bowls a low full toss, Pietersen whips it to deep mid wicket for an easy 2

10.2

Duminy to Irfan Pathan, 1 run, given air on the middle and leg, Irfan works it to mid wicket and rotates strike

10.1

Duminy to Irfan Pathan, no run, flat and around off, Pathan pushes it to the off side

Jean-Paul Duminy [1.0-0-8-0] is back into the attack

9.6

Christian to Pietersen, FOUR, just a push. There was nothing more in that shot, puts his frontfoot forward and pushes it between extra cover and mid off, the timing on it is absolutely superb and it races between them to the fence

9.5

Christian to Irfan Pathan, 1 run, length ball outside off, Pathan punches it on the up to sweeper cover, gets off the mark with one

9.5

Christian to Irfan Pathan, wide, starts with a bouncer to the new batsman, he ducks under it. Too high, says the umpire

Irfan Pathan, left handed bat, comes to the crease

9.4

Christian to Pietersen, out Ross Taylor Run Out!! Much needed inspirational fielding effort from a Deccan Chargers fielder, and a much needed wicket too. Pietersen defends it to the off side and sets off, Taylor is quick but Dhawan is quicker as he swoops in from cover and hits direct at the striker's end. Taylor was well short of his crease - Deccan badly needed that! Ross Taylor run out (Dhawan) 13(11) [4s-1]

Christian to Pietersen, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Is it a run out? Ross Taylor is walking off the field. He knows it. Yes, he is gone!

9.3

Christian to Ross Taylor, 1 run, short and on the off, Taylor waits back and blocks it softly to point for a quick single

9.2

Christian to Ross Taylor, no run, length delivery on off, Taylor calmly defends it down the track

9.1

Christian to Pietersen, 1 run, short of length and around off, Pietersen waits back and runs it down to third man

Daniel Christian [1.0-0-7-1] is back into the attack

8.6

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, 1 run, flat and a bit short, Pietersen goes on the backfoot and punches to long off for one, very good over from Sharma

8.5

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, no run, slower through the air and just outside off, Pietersen punches it to extra cover

8.4

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, no run, Pietersen it itching to go after the bowler and comes down the track, Ankit sees it and drags it down the leg side, Pietersen adjusts and keeps it away

8.3

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, no run, once again in tight areas on the stumps, Pietersen defends again

8.2

Ankit Sharma to Pietersen, no run, floated around off, Pietersen defends it back to the bowler

8.1

Ankit Sharma to Ross Taylor, 3 runs, misfield. Oh boy this is poor stuff from Deccan Chargers, Taylor flicks this to deep mid wicket, there was only 2 there but Veer Pratap Singh runs hard for it and lets it go through him, they get one more

Ankit Sharma, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

Time out. Deccan got 3 quick wickets but need to dismiss Pietersen here. He is looking in terrific touch and can easily run away with the game. Chipli will be a worried man..he dropped him early in the innings.

7.6

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, no run, in the air but safe! Short again and Pietersen slashes hard at it, ends up slicing it uppishly but just short of short third man

7.6

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, wide, once again an attempted googly but it turns a long way down the leg side, pressure is telling on the bowler here

7.5

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, SIX, easily the shot of the day! One of the flattest sixes in the tournament. Too short from Mishra, Pietersen had all the time in the world to go back and then punch it over deep extra cover, he is toying with the bowling here!

7.4

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, no run, flighted up outside off, this was the googly and he tried to slog sweep, failed to make contact though

7.3

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, SIX, he is showing his dominance! This is a mammoth hit! Down the track to the pitch of the ball and smashes it way way over long on, into the crowd at the second tier there!

7.2

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, FOUR, and that's the reply. Just a fraction short, Pietersen rocks back quickly and crashes it wide of deep point for four, he is looking in superb form!

7.1

Amit Mishra to Pietersen, no run, almost a wicket straightaway! Flat and just outside off, Pietersen tries to drive but has a huge gap between the bat and pad, the ball spins a touch and goes through the gate. Very, very close to the off stump!

Amit Mishra, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

6.6

Duminy to Ross Taylor, 2 runs, good running, whips it off his pads to deep square leg, calls early for a couple and gets it with some quick running

6.5

Duminy to Ross Taylor, no run, loopy and turning in, Taylor defends to the on side

6.4

Duminy to Pietersen, 1 run, flighted up on the middle and leg, Pietersen flicks it to long on

6.3

Duminy to Pietersen, no run, good bowling, sees him coming down the track and bowls it shorter, Pietersen adjusts and blocks

6.2

Duminy to Pietersen, FOUR, too hard. Just too hard to stop those! Sees the flight and comes down the track, blasts it between the bowler and the non striker to get a boundary down the ground

6.1

Duminy to Ross Taylor, 1 run, on the middle and leg from round the stumps, Taylor works it to deep mid wicket

Jean-Paul Duminy, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

5.6

Pratap Singh to Ross Taylor, 1 run, outside off channel, Taylor guides it to third man and retains strike

5.5

Pratap Singh to Ross Taylor, no run, good tight stuff in the stump to stump channel, Taylor waits back and blocks

5.4

Pratap Singh to Pietersen, 1 run, much straighter this time, Pietersen punches it straight down the ground for one

5.3

Pratap Singh to Ross Taylor, 1 run, width outside off once again, Taylor slashes it to third man for a single

5.2

Pratap Singh to Ross Taylor, no run, short again but wide outside off this time, Taylor cuts it straight to point

5.1

Pratap Singh to Ross Taylor, FOUR, good start to his innings. Short ball from the bowler and Taylor pulls it between mid on and mid wicket for a boundary, that's his favourite area

Veer Pratap Singh [2.0-0-9-1] is back into the attack

4.6

Christian to Pietersen, no run, short of length and on the stumps, Pietersen works it to the on side

4.5

Christian to Pietersen, no run, fuller length on the off, Pietersen gets forward and blocks

4.4

Christian to Pietersen, FOUR, misfield. And guess who it is? Chipli! He is having a really bad time, but that was hit hard. Pietersen slaps this short one straight to cover point where Chipli lets it go through his legs

Ross Taylor, right handed bat, comes to the crease

4.3

Christian to Mahela Jayawardene, out Caught by Sangakkara!! Sangakkara catches Jayawardene and runs across like a child! Always a pleasure to dismiss a friend I guess, and it's an important wicket in the context of the match. Mahela comes down the track in an attempt to go over the off side but isn't to the pitch of it, still goes through with the shot and lobs it to mid off where Sanga runs to his left and catches it. Delhi are in a lot of trouble here.. Mahela Jayawardene c Sangakkara b Christian 6(5) [4s-1]

Christian to Mahela Jayawardene, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

4.2

Christian to Pietersen, 1 run, stump to stump bowling, Pietersen walks across and flicks it to deep mid wicket

4.2

Christian to Pietersen, wide, sprays this down the leg side, Pietersen looks to glance but misses

4.1

Christian to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, slow off cutter on the off, Mahela comes on the frontfoot and defends it softly to point, runs across for a quick single

Daniel Christian, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

3.6

Steyn to Pietersen, no run, yorker length on the stumps, Pietersen digs it out to the on side

3.5

Steyn to Mahela Jayawardene, 1 run, pitched up and swinging away, Mahela reaches out and steers it to third man

3.4

Steyn to Mahela Jayawardene, FOUR, nicely done, full and too straight from Steyn, Mahela stays in the crease and just whips it off his pads, deliberately hits it over mid wicket and uses Steyn's pace to get off the mark with a boundary

Steyn to Sehwag, out Caught by Christian!! Well, no drop catches this time. In fact, it's a pretty sharp catch. Back of length and swinging away, Sehwag punches away from the body and gets a thick edge which flies quickly to slip where Christian holds on. Relief for Steyn - he deserved a wicket for sure! Sehwag c Christian b Steyn 7(5) [4s-1]

Steyn to Sehwag, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

3.1

Steyn to Pietersen, 1 run, catch dropped by Chipli. Chipli just carries his poor catching form from the previous game. Lehman said "we fielded like under 14 boys" after the previous game, this is even worse. Short ball from Steyn, Pietersen mistimes the pull to mid wicket, it went overhead but at a comfortable height to Chipli who made a mess of it. I am sure Steyn is an angry man..

2.6

Pratap Singh to Sehwag, 2 runs, angles it on the pads this time, Sehwag whips it away to deep backward square leg region, Steyn runs across and keeps it to a couple

2.5

Pratap Singh to Sehwag, FOUR, pressure? What pressure? Full ball on off, Sehwag stands in the crease and smashes it over the bowler's head. Too easy

2.4

Pratap Singh to Pietersen, 1 run, gets the single this time, walks down and pushes it to mid on, runs with the momentum and gets the single easily

2.3

Pratap Singh to Pietersen, no run, pitched up on the off, Pietersen drives it back to the bowler, a bit of pressure building up on the batsmen?

2.2

Pratap Singh to Pietersen, no run, short of length and around off, Pietersen shuffles across and flicks it to mid wicket

2.1

Pratap Singh to Pietersen, no run, tight line and length on off, Pietersen comes on the frontfoot and defends it back to the bowler

1.6

Steyn to Pietersen, 1 run, too straight this time, Pietersen moves across and flicks it to deep mid wicket for one

1.5

Steyn to Pietersen, no run, length delivery moving away, Pietersen comes on the frontfoot and pushes it to point

1.4

Steyn to Pietersen, no run, back of a length and on the stumps, Pietersen waits back and blocks

1.3

Steyn to Pietersen, FOUR, that's arrogance! He has just got a beauty from Steyn but Pietersen shows his dominance in the very next ball, walks across to this straight one and whips it away between mid on and mid wicket, excellent contest this

1.2

Steyn to Pietersen, no run, What. A . Beauty! Absolute stunner from Steyn but he is extremely unlucky to not get a wicket with a delivery like that - fast, angled in and then straightens after pitching, Pietersen was looking to play with the angle but was beaten completely by the late movement

1.1

Steyn to Pietersen, no run, back of a length and outside off, Pietersen reaches out and punches it to covers

Dale Steyn, right-arm fast, comes into the attack

0.6

Pratap Singh to Sehwag, no run, back of a length and close to off, Sehwag goes on the backfoot and blocks to the off side, good over from Pratap Singh

Kevin Pietersen, right handed bat, comes to the crease

0.5

Pratap Singh to Naman Ojha, out Caught by Duminy!! These are the kind of shots that fetch runs if you connect, but look ugly when you don't. A normal length delivery outside off, Ojha takes a step forward and looks to go over the off side but mistimes it completely, it goes high towards point where Duminy runs back and catches. That's the start Deccan needed. Naman Ojha c Duminy b Pratap Singh 1(4)

Pratap Singh to Naman Ojha, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

0.4

Pratap Singh to Naman Ojha, no run, tight line and length on the stumps, Ojha waits back and blocks to the off side

0.3

Pratap Singh to Sehwag, 1 run, back of a length and on the legs, Sehwag works it to deep backward square leg, Sehwag off the mark too

0.2

Pratap Singh to Naman Ojha, 1 run, Ojha off the mark, slashes a full and wide one to third man for a single

0.1

Pratap Singh to Naman Ojha, no run, starts with one that's angled in to the pads, Ojha waits back and blocks it

Naman Ojha and Sehwag are at the crease. Naman Ojha is on strike. Pratap Singh will open the attack

We're back, after a short gap. Deccan need a big effort from their bowlers - the Delhi Daredevils is a side filled with stars..

Dhawan and Parthiv were the stars for the Chargers but their middle order failed to capitalize. Shahbaz Nadeem bowled beautifully giving away just 16 runs and taking three wickets in his four overs. Morne Morkel came back well, picked up 3 for 23 in his quota. 157 doesn't look too threatening especially with the kind of batting order that the Daredevils possess. Join us in a short while for the chase.

19.6

Morne Morkel to Ankit Sharma, 1 run, Ankit Sharma flat bats it to mid on, the fielder can't get the direct hit, 157 is what the Chargers have scored

Ankit Sharma, left handed bat, comes to the crease

19.5

Morne Morkel to Amit Mishra, out Amit Mishra Run Out!! 1 run completed. Amit Mishra didn't have to try hard to get under that ball, upper cut it over backward point, not out of the middle of the bat by any means, KP runs wide from deep point, collects it and fires in a throw to the keeper, they were looking for the second but Amit Mishra was well short. Amit Mishra run out (Pietersen/Naman Ojha) 6(6)

Morne Morkel to Amit Mishra, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

19.4

Morne Morkel to Amit Mishra, 2 runs, Amit Mishra hoicks one over square leg, Ross Taylor in the deep does well, runs quickly to his left, saves two runs by flicking the ball back to the playing area

Morne Morkel to Chipli, 1 run, low full toss, Chipli flays it to wide long on

19.1

Morne Morkel to Amit Mishra, 1 run, Amit Mishra had to get Chipli on strike, creamed it to mid off and set off for a single, he was halfway down, the fielder had to get a direct hit in, doesn't manage to do that

18.6

Agarkar to Chipli, FOUR, Chipli has picked the slower ball this time around, slogs it over the bowler's head, it was a flat batted shot, he will get four more and they have gone over 150 now

18.5

Agarkar to Chipli, no run, another good ball! Two in a row, slower short ball, Chipli goes after it and misses it completely

18.4

Agarkar to Chipli, no run, slower ball outside the off stump, Chipli looks to pull and misses it

18.3

Agarkar to Chipli, FOUR, almost another one! Chipli makes room and carves it over extra cover again, got under it well, one bounce over the ropes, worrying signs for Agarkar

18.2

Agarkar to Chipli, SIX, Agarkar has had a bad day and it is going worse! Dishes out a wide full ball, Chipli does well to get under it, uses his bottom hand and goes over extra cover, top shot!

18.1

Agarkar to Amit Mishra, 1 run, Amit Mishra goes back and whips it it to short fine, singles won't matter

18.1

Agarkar to Amit Mishra, wide, full and wide outside the off stump, he has to bowl it again

Ajit Agarkar [2.0-0-26-0] is back into the attack

17.6

Morne Morkel to Amit Mishra, 1 run, Amit Mishra gets a nasty welcome, short ball angled in, that rose to almost shoulder height, Amit Mishra fends at it awkwardly, gets an outside edge just wide of a diving keeper who got some hand to it, third man keeps it down to one

Amit Mishra, right handed bat, comes to the crease

17.5

Morne Morkel to Steyn, out Caught by Sehwag!! That's the 2nd catch Sehwag has taken standing in a catching position well inside the circle, Steyn slapped it hard, tried to go over extra cover, but doesn't get the required elevation, Sehwag leaps and takes it with his outstretched hands, top catch that. Steyn c Sehwag b Morne Morkel 2(3)

Morne Morkel to Steyn, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

17.4

Morne Morkel to Steyn, 2 runs, a fuller one angled on the pads, Steyn flicks it through mid wicket, gets a couple

17.3

Morne Morkel to Steyn, no run, a bit of extra bounce as the bowler pitches it up, goes off the shoulder of the bat to the left of Morne Morkel

Dale Steyn, right handed bat, comes to the crease

17.2

Morne Morkel to Jhunjunwala, out Caught by Naman Ojha!! They are self destructing - the Deccan Chargers. Jhunjunwala shimmied down the track looking to go over the bowler's head or towards long off, swung his bat and got a faint outside edge, the ball finds the keeper's gloves, wicket No. 6 goes down. The umpires checked for a no-ball, but Morne Morkel was clean. Jhunjunwala c Naman Ojha b Morne Morkel 4(5) [4s-1]

Morne Morkel to Jhunjunwala, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

17.2

Morne Morkel to Jhunjunwala, wide, looking for the yorker, Morne Morkel errs in line and it goes down the leg

17.1

Morne Morkel to Chipli, 1 run, Chipli swipes across the line and gets it out of the inner half of the blade towards deep square leg, he wanted the second run but there was no opportunity for one

Morne Morkel [2.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack

16.6

Umesh Yadav to Jhunjunwala, FOUR, finally gets bat on ball and picks the gap as well! Jhunjunwala walks down the wicket creating that extra room, carved it over backward point, a couple of bounces and into the fence

16.5

Umesh Yadav to Jhunjunwala, no run, this is turning out to be a great over! Another slower one outside the off stump, Jhunjunwala is early into the shot and he meets thin air

16.4

Umesh Yadav to Jhunjunwala, no run, width on offer, short ball that, Jhunjunwala tries to get bat on ball with minimum feet movement, no contact made

16.3

Umesh Yadav to Jhunjunwala, no run, Jhunjunwala reaches out and bottom edges it to the keeper

16.2

Umesh Yadav to Chipli, 1 run, Chipli gets it out of the thickish outer half to third man

Abhishek Jhunjunwala, right handed bat, comes to the crease

16.1

Umesh Yadav to Christian, out Caught by Shahbaz Nadeem!! Extra bounce does the trick, Christian pulls and doesn't get enough power, wasn't really a top edge, it was just the timing gone wrong, he also didn't try to keep the ball down, the man at mid wicket was standing at the edge of the ropes and it helped, goes backwards and takes a good catch, judged it to perfection. Christian c Shahbaz Nadeem b Umesh Yadav 19(21) [4s-1]

Umesh Yadav to Christian, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Umesh Yadav [2.0-0-28-0] is back into the attack

15.6

Shahbaz Nadeem to Chipli, no run, Chipli pushes one down the wicket to the left of the bowler and that's the end of a fine spell. Four overs, just 16 runs and three wickets

15.5

Shahbaz Nadeem to Chipli, no run, good bowling this! flatter and darted outside the off stump, Chipli was looking for the late cut, chops it back to the keeper

15.4

Shahbaz Nadeem to Chipli, 2 runs, width on offer, Chipli slaps it off the backfoot through extra cover, they sneak two more

15.3

Shahbaz Nadeem to Christian, 1 run, Christian sweeps and sweeps along the ground, straight to the man at deep square leg

Irfan Pathan to Chipli, 1 run, Chipli gets forward and pats one to the off side, sets off for a single, Irfan Pathan ran to his left and was ahead of the batsman before he tried to bend to pick the ball up, fails to do so

14.4

Irfan Pathan to Chipli, FOUR, on the pads, not the line to be bowling at this stage of the innings, Chipli glances it and gets it pretty fine, useful runs these

14.3

Irfan Pathan to Chipli, no run, short of length and angled across, Chipli plays and misses

14.2

Irfan Pathan to Christian, 1 run, Christian opens the blade and goes poking at it a tad too early, ends up chipping it just wide of the fielder at backward point, he dived to his left but couldn't pouch it

14.1

Irfan Pathan to Christian, no run, too much width on offer, Christian reaches out and cracks it off the toe end to cover

It is now time for a strategy break. The Deccan Chargers have lost a couple of quick wickets. They need these two to make the most out of the solid platform provided by Dhawan and Patel. Can they get over 170? Let's find out...

13.6

Shahbaz Nadeem to Chipli, no run, Chipli plays it late, doesn't find the gap, glided straight to short third man

13.5

Shahbaz Nadeem to Chipli, no run, Chipli stays on the backfoot and blocks it

Bharat Chipli, right handed bat, comes to the crease

13.4

Shahbaz Nadeem to Duminy, out Caught by Sehwag!! Soft dismissal that! Shahbaz Nadeem gets his third. Boy! Isn't he having a dream IPL? Turns in slightly as Duminy went across looking for that half flick half chip over mid wicket, spoons a simple catch to Sehwag at mid wicket, he wasn't even at the edge of the circle, he was standing at short mid to be precise. Duminy c Sehwag b Shahbaz Nadeem 4(5)

Shahbaz Nadeem to Duminy, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

13.3

Shahbaz Nadeem to Christian, 1 run, takes it from the off stump and whips it to deep mid wicket for a single

13.2

Shahbaz Nadeem to Duminy, 1 run, turned past square leg, this one was bowled slower through the air

13.1

Shahbaz Nadeem to Christian, 1 run, Christian comes down the wicket, converts it into a half volley and plays a lofted drive to long on, goes to the fielder on one bounce

12.6

Irfan Pathan to Christian, 1 run, width on offer, Christian slaps it to long off, goes off the toe end and he won't be getting more than one run

12.5

Irfan Pathan to Christian, no run, line gone wrong but Christian doesn't make the most of it, it was on the leg stump, goes off the bottom of the thigh guard to the keeper, didn't carry to him but they still appealed for the catch

12.4

Irfan Pathan to Christian, no run, good stump to stump line, Christian pats it back to the left of the bowler

12.3

Irfan Pathan to Duminy, 1 run, pitched up outside the off stump, not much pace on that one, whipped off the backfoot to long on

12.2

Irfan Pathan to Duminy, 2 runs, width on offer, Duminy opens the blade and pushes it past a diving point fielder, third man will cut it down to two runs

12.1

Irfan Pathan to Duminy, no run, holds his line before coming on to the bat, Duminy checks his shot and plays it back to the bowler on one bounce

Irfan Pathan [2.0-0-16-0] is back into the attack

Jean-Paul Duminy, left handed bat, comes to the crease

11.6

Shahbaz Nadeem to Parthiv Patel, out Caught by Mahela Jayawardene!! End of a brave innings! The lady luck has finally deserted the short lad, he was looking to go for the slog sweep, went after Shahbaz Nadeem and got the height, Jayawardene lined himself up at deep mid wicket, he was standing inches in front of the ropes and took a great catch with fingers pointing up, did well not to lose balance and Deccan Chargers have lost their third. Parthiv Patel c Mahela Jayawardene b Shahbaz Nadeem 45(27) [4s-5 6s-1]

Shahbaz Nadeem to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, Parthiv Patel pulls, doesn't time it well, a couple of bounces to the fielder at deep mid wicket

11.3

Shahbaz Nadeem to Christian, 1 run, Christian pushes one to long on

11.2

Shahbaz Nadeem to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, a chance gone begging! Parthiv Patel swept it straight to KP at deep backward square leg, KP who had his shades on has missed the ball in the background, goes back instead of coming forward, takes it on one bounce, oh dear! These are the little things that would make a big difference in the end

11.1

Shahbaz Nadeem to Christian, 1 run, given a bit of air, Christian works it through mid wicket

Umesh Yadav to Parthiv Patel, no ball, 1 run, Parthiv Patel carved the waist high full toss over backward point, third man ran wide and took a good catch at the boundary, but it has been signalled a no ball, Parthiv Patel's height has helped him on this occasion

The umpires are checking for a waist high full toss. Parthiv Patel has been caught at third man. Looks like it is over the short lad's waist. No ball called!

Umesh Yadav to Christian, FOUR, width on offer, Christian steers it behind point, third man had no chance and they will get another boundary, so the fall of wicket hasn't held them back from scoring runs, we are in for a total of over 170 for sure, I would say

Umesh Yadav to Parthiv Patel, SIX, brilliant! The short lad is letting his bat do the talking, Umesh Yadav tried the bouncer, Parthiv Patel pulls it with one foot in the air, gets it over deep mid wicket, unbelievable! He has played a superb knock thus far

10.1

Umesh Yadav to Christian, 1 run, angled into the pads, Christian works it wide of long on

10.1

Umesh Yadav to Christian, wide, length ball going down the leg, Christian looks to flay it to the on side, doesn't get bat on ball

9.6

Shahbaz Nadeem to Christian, 1 run, not too full, allows Christian to stay on the backfoot and stroke it to long off, 3 runs and a wicket off that over

9.5

Shahbaz Nadeem to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, Parthiv Patel punches one to long off and walks across for an easy single

9.4

Shahbaz Nadeem to Parthiv Patel, no run, quicker one! Parthiv Patel played it off the backfoot and played it late, dabs it to cover point

9.3

Shahbaz Nadeem to Christian, 1 run, slightly short, Christian drags it to mid wicket off the backfoot, gets off the mark

9.2

Shahbaz Nadeem to Christian, no run, turns away from Christian as he gets forward and defends it

Daniel Christian, right handed bat, comes to the crease

9.1

Shahbaz Nadeem to Dhawan, out Lbw!! Dhawan has thrown his wicket away and Shahbaz Nadeem strikes first ball. Dhawan went for the reverse sweep, totally uncalled for, the ball pitched on leg and it was going on to hit middle and off, trapped plumb, and a fine innings comes to a tame end. Shahbaz Nadeem is delighted, he has broken a key partnership here. Dhawan lbw b Shahbaz Nadeem 44(29) [4s-5 6s-1]

Shahbaz Nadeem to Dhawan, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

Shahbaz Nadeem, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

8.6

Umesh Yadav to Dhawan, 1 run, Dhawan brings in the pulls this time, didn't time it well, the man at deep square leg will run towards it and collect the ball

8.5

Umesh Yadav to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, short ball, Parthiv Patel drops it to the off side, scampers through for a single

8.4

Umesh Yadav to Parthiv Patel, 2 runs, delicate! Played it very late, it was slightly short of a good length and too close to the body, Parthiv Patel drew the bat close and helped it wide of the keeper, used the pace of the ball, third man did well to run towards the ball quickly, saved two runs

8.3

Umesh Yadav to Dhawan, 1 run, short ball, Dhawan slaps it off the backfoot to sweeper cover, happy with the single

8.3

Umesh Yadav to Dhawan, wide, poor bowling! Tried to bowl the slower one, got the line wrong, too wide outside the off stump, didn't bounce as well, into the keeper's gloves

8.2

Umesh Yadav to Dhawan, FOUR, width on offer, Dhawan slashes his bat and finds the edge, the ball goes flying to the third man boundary, he has moved into the forties - Dhawan

Agarkar to Dhawan, no run, too full and on the middle and leg, driven back, Agarkar bends down to stop it on his follow-through, another expensive over this, 11 runs came off it

7.5

Agarkar to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, not a great delivery by any means, width on offer, Parthiv Patel cracks it through extra cover this time, played on the up

7.4

Agarkar to Dhawan, 1 run, short ball, Dhawan cuts it through cover, there is a fielder at sweeper cover who will ensure that it's nothing more than a single

7.3

Agarkar to Dhawan, FOUR, we don't get to see shots like this quite often! Dhawan took the bottom hand off as he punched that, KP at mid on dived to his right but the ball had gone past him by then, they are looking set for a huge total - the Chargers

7.2

Agarkar to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, Parthiv Patel leans and drives a fuller one to long off, only a single

7.1

Agarkar to Parthiv Patel, FOUR, this is poor stuff! Short again, Parthiv Patel has pulled it over the man at short fine, one bounce over the ropes

6.6

Pietersen to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, Parthiv Patel goes for the sweep, gets some inside edge, else he would have been a goner! Loud appeal yet again from Pietersen, doesn't get it in his favor, and it's time for the first strategy break

6.5

Pietersen to Dhawan, 1 run, Dhawan comes down the wicket and works it through mid wicket, ambles across for a single

6.4

Pietersen to Dhawan, FOUR, fine shot! Goes straight past the bowler after dancing down the wicket, long on was too wide and he was just a spectator

6.3

Pietersen to Dhawan, no run, flatter one on the leg stump, goes off the thigh pad to the keeper, loud appeal from the keeper and the bowler, not given, good decision that!

6.2

Pietersen to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, another half tracker, Parthiv Patel pulls, the ball goes to the man at deep mid wicket after a couple of bounces

6.1

Pietersen to Dhawan, 1 run, Dhawan charges down the wicket and drives it through extra cover, there is protection in the deep

6.1

Pietersen to Dhawan, wide, loopy delivery down the leg stump, Dhawan can't get bat on ball, wide called and Pietersen is not too happy with the decision

Kevin Pietersen [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack

5.6

Agarkar to Dhawan, 1 run, Dhawan picks the slower one, pats one towards cover point and sets off straight away, retains the strike

5.5

Agarkar to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, Parthiv Patel punches a back of a length delivery wide of mid off, settles for a single

5.4

Agarkar to Parthiv Patel, 2 runs, short ball again, Parthiv Patel pulls it, Yadav does well this time around, had to run to his left, another diving effort and he pulled the ball back saving two runs for his team

5.3

Agarkar to Parthiv Patel, FOUR, poor fielding from Umesh Yadav in the deep, Parthiv Patel flicks one over mid wicket, Yadav runs wide and puts in a dive, fails to pull the ball back

5.2

Agarkar to Dhawan, 1 run, good change of pace, slower delivery on the body, Dhawan gets an inside edge, the ball drops to the on side and they steal another single

5.1

Agarkar to Dhawan, SIX, not the kind of welcome the old horse was looking for, dishes out a short of a good length delivery angling across, Dhawan hoicks it over deep mid wicket, just manages to clear the ropes, top shot!!

Ajit Agarkar, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

4.6

Morne Morkel to Parthiv Patel, no run, punched off the backfoot to mid off, can't pick the gap this time around

4.5

Morne Morkel to Dhawan, 1 run, Dhawan looks to play one on the on side, gets an edge onto the body and the ball drops to the off side, Parthiv Patel wants a single and does it with ease

4.4

Morne Morkel to Dhawan, FOUR, Short ball, and the line went wrong, Dhawan uses the pace of the delivery and helps it to the fine leg boundary, the fielder was standing wide and he had no chance

4.3

Morne Morkel to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, back of a length delivery on the stumps, Parthiv Patel dabs it to the left of the bowler and pinches a quick single, took on the fielder and made it home comfortably

4.2

Morne Morkel to Dhawan, 1 run, yorker length delivery outside the off stump, Dhawan jams the bat down and drills it to cover, slight fumble allows the batsmen to take a single

4.1

Morne Morkel to Dhawan, 2 runs, Dhawan joins the party, not quite. Chips one just over mid on, not enough bat on it, will only get two

3.6

Irfan Pathan to Parthiv Patel, FOUR, three in three for Parthiv Patel! Boy, he's having a gala time. Irfan Pathan pitches it up offering some width, Parthiv Patel leant onto it and sliced it over point, Irfan Pathan has something to worry about now

Irfan Pathan to Parthiv Patel, FOUR, width offered outside the off stump, Parthiv Patel throws his bat at it, slashes it hard and gets a top edge, the ball flies over the slip fielder and into the third man boundary

3.3

Irfan Pathan to Parthiv Patel, no run, pitched up outside the off stump, kept a tad low, Parthiv Patel was poking at it outside the off stump, beaten!

3.2

Irfan Pathan to Dhawan, 1 run, width on offer, Dhawan steers it behind point and third man keeps it down to one

3.1

Irfan Pathan to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, had he timed it well, it would have gone straight to the fielder! Parthiv Patel pulls the short ball, didn't even try to keep it down the ground, goes on one bounce to the fielder at deep backward square leg

Irfan Pathan [1.0-0-2-0] is back into the attack

2.6

Morne Morkel to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, good short ball, Parthiv Patel drops it to the off side and scampers through for a quick single

2.5

Morne Morkel to Dhawan, 1 run, Dhawan works one off his pads to long leg, walks across for a single

2.4

Morne Morkel to Dhawan, no run, sucker ball from Morne Morkel, too full and wide outside the off stump, Dhawan looks to go for the drive but can't get bat on ball, stifled appeal from the keeper for caught behind, not given

2.3

Morne Morkel to Dhawan, no run, short ball, Dhawan slaps it off the backfoot, finds the man at backward point

Parthiv Patel, left handed bat, comes to the crease

2.2

Morne Morkel to Sangakkara, out Caught by Nagar!! That ball took ages to come down! Sangakkara went for the it a bit too early, he was closing the face of the bat looking to clip it off his pads, gets a leading edge and the ball goes swirling in the air, Nagar at backward point did well to keep his eyes on ball, did well to bend forward and take it inches off the ground, top catch that! Sangakkara c Nagar b Morne Morkel 1(7)

Morne Morkel to Sangakkara, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

2.1

Morne Morkel to Dhawan, 1 run, length ball around the off stump and thereabouts, Dhawan pushes it wide of mid off, quick single taken

Morne Morkel, right-arm fast, comes into the attack

1.6

Pietersen to Sangakkara, no run, Sangakkara comes down the track and drives it straight to the fielder at mid on

1.5

Pietersen to Dhawan, 3 runs, Oh dear! Inside edge but no harm done, Dhawan comes down the wicket looking to hoick one over mid wicket, gets a thick inside edge, the ball misses the leg stump and runs down to fine leg, Irfan gives it a chase and keeps them down to three

1.4

Pietersen to Dhawan, FOUR, rank half tracker, Dhawan pulls and gets it wide of a diving fielde at backward square leg, first boundary for the Chargers and Dhawan

1.3

Pietersen to Dhawan, no run, Dhawan charges down the track and chips it on the up to the man at cover

1.2

Pietersen to Dhawan, no run, too close to the body for the cut shot, it was bowled flatter as well, Dhawan misses the cut and the keeper collects it as the ball whistles past the off stump

1.1

Pietersen to Dhawan, no run, flighted delivery just outside the off stump, driven but straight to the fielder at backward point

Kevin Pietersen, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

Surprise surprise, KP to share the new ball. He has his stylish shades on. Can he get an early break-through.

0.6

Irfan Pathan to Dhawan, 1 run, plays it late, opens the face of the blade slightly to run down that length delivery to third man, so both openers off the mark, and a good start for Irfan Pathan

0.5

Irfan Pathan to Sangakkara, 1 run, short ball, Sangakkara rocks back and pulls hard! Goes rocketing to the man at deep backward square leg, it will only be a single, off the mark nevertheless

0.4

Irfan Pathan to Sangakkara, no run, slightly short again, Sangakkara is not getting the timing right, was looking to cream it through point and cover, mistimes it to point

0.3

Irfan Pathan to Sangakkara, no run, overpitched! This should have been dispatched, Sangakkara drives elegantly but can't get it past the man at mid on, went straight to him

0.2

Irfan Pathan to Sangakkara, no run, much better this time around! Fuller one from Irfan Pathan, got the ball to swing away slightly, Sangakkara gets forward and defends it to point

0.1

Irfan Pathan to Sangakkara, no run, Irfan Pathan starts off with a short of length delivery, the ball jags away from Sangakkara who pulls it straight to the fielder at mid on

Sangakkara and Dhawan are at the crease. Sangakkara is on strike. Irfan Pathan will open the attack

Alright, we are minutes away from the start. Keeping wickets in hand will be the key. Deccan Chargers are top heavy, like many other teams in the tournament and they have to tackle a strong bowling attack. KP and Viru were seen having a light hearted chat before the team huddle. Dhawan and Sangakkara are the openers for the Chargers. Here we go.

Daniel Christian: We've played some pretty good cricket but we haven't been able to cross the line. We batted really well against Rajasthan and hope we continue to do the same today. We need to bowl slightly better than what we did against Rajasthan. I've been playing a bit of golf lately and I also play guitar during my free time.

Sangakkara: We need to stick to our basics and play well. Hodge and Rohit Sharma outplayed us in the last couple of games, we need to get our acts together. We need to understand that the next game is out there to be won. We will bat first. That's our strength, even though we have lost the last two games defending. We've made one change. Young Veer - the fast bowler - comes in.

Sehwag: At the moment, we are doing well and we'll look to continue the winning momentum. It is important to win in front of home crowd since they always come out in large numbers. We are going in with the same team. We would have also bowled first, so the toss is irrelevant.

Deccan Chargers have won the toss and elected to bat

Stat buzz: Deccan Chargers outplayed the Daredevils when the two teams locked horns at the Feroz Shah Kotla last time around. But, they would be aware of what Sehwag did later on when the teams met in Hyderabad. The Nawab of Najafgarh scored a breath-taking century making it 1-1 in 2011.

Having lost three matches in a row, Hyderabad is languishing at the bottom of the table. On the other hand, Delhi - arguably the strongest team on paper - find themselves only below Rajasthan having secured three wins in four matches. What remains to be seen is whether there's an upset in store today. IPL 5 has produced some breath-taking encounters and it is tough to write any team off. Can Sangakkara's Deccan overcome Sehwag's Dehli? A lot would depend on Steyn and Co. Don't go anywhere, we'll be back with the toss and the team line-ups.

Preview

The Daredevils are in red-hot form having beaten heavyweights, Mumbai Indians, comprehensively at the latter's backyard, and they would look to continue the momentum and extend the winning run here at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Form and team balance apart, the fact that the Daredevils are playing in front of the home crowd, is likely to make the task even more arduous for the Chargers.

Up against a side that has notched three wins from four matches, the numbers are heavily stacked against the Chargers who are yet to open their account.

The Chargers came close to winning their first game in the fifth season of the IPL, against Rajasthan Royals, but Brad Hodge's pyrotechnics spoilt their plans.

Kumar Sangakkara's men, though, can take heart from the fact that they fought till the end against the Royals.

It will, however, take a little more than that for the Chargers to make a match out of it, when they take the field against Virender Sehwag's men who have lived up to their reputation so far in the tournament.

If there is Sehwag at the top of the order to provide the team blistering starts, the middle-order is packed with proven, world class stroke-makers like Kevin Pietersen and Mahela Jayawardene, and the addition of New Zealander Ross Taylor, as expected, has only bolstered the line-up.

Prior to the start of the tournament, their bowling, especially the spin department, was thought to be a weak link, but young Shabaz Nadeem has unfailingly delivered the goods for the Daredevils.

The 22-year-old left-arm spinner is coming off a solid performance against a power-packed Mumbai line-up, and the confidence that his skipper has on him, is expected to make him a better bowler in the coming matches.

South African Morne Morkel has spearheaded the pace attack like he ought to have, well complemented by Umesh Yadav, Irfan Pathan and Ajit Agarkar.

The Daredevils' strength can be gauged from the fact that they have a hard-hitter like Aaron Finch on the bench, and be rest assured, the Australian is surely waiting for an opportunity.

What makes the Daredevils even more dangerous is that, not just one or two, but almost the entire team has been playing as a unit.

If the side's illustrious batsmen have fired in unison, the bowlers have been equal to the task. Look no further than the scorecard against Mumbai for proof. Pietersen, of course, was an exception.

Barring the reverse against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy stadium, the Daredevils have been clinical in their wins, be it over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, defending champions Chennai Super Kings here, or Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium.

Given the unpredictability factor associated with this form of the game, more so in the case of IPL, it would be a folly to rule out any team, but, in the current scenario, the Chargers are in some spot of bother and it would surely take a great effort from them to disturb the hosts' momentum.

The only way they can hope to pull it off, is by playing out of their skins, and hope luck plays its part.

Sangakkara, who stroked his way to 44 off 32 balls against Rajasthan yesterday, will again shoulder the bulk of the responsibility.

Jean-Paul Duminy will do well to repeat the whirlwind knock he produced against Rajasthan, and Shikhar Dhawan too, would look to carry the momentum of the last match.

Both Duminy and Dhawan slammed brisk half centuries in their last outings, albeit in a losing cause.

As far as bowling is concerned, Dale Steyn took a bit of stick at the Sawai Man Singh track and Kotla is unlikely to offer him anything differen.

Legspinner Amit Mishra bowled well in the last match, picking up three wickets, and he can take heart from that performance. Then there is Australian all-rounder Daniel Christian who is yet to hit peak form but poses a threat always in this format.